Ellen LaVerne Miller

Ellen LaVerne Miller passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025, at Five Points Nursing and Rehabilitation in Amarillo, Texas.

On a beautiful spring Monday, May 4, 1925, in Wylie, Texas, a beautiful baby girl was born to A.E. and Beula Collins. They named her Ellen LaVerne Collins. LaVerne was the first of two children which included her brother Slim, who preceded her in death.

When LaVerne was five years old, her mother, Beula, passed away. LaVerne’s aunt and uncle, Fannie and Tom Finchum of Clarendon, took the two children and raised them.

When LaVerne was 18, she moved to Panhandle, Texas, and applied for a job at Ruby’s Cafe. As a cute waitress, she just so happened to run into Joe Wesley Miller who was working on the railroad. The first thing he said to her was, “Can you cook?” The rest was history! Joe and LaVerne were married on October 9, 1944.

To Joe and LaVerne were born two children: Joe Don Miller on October 25, 1945, and Sally Elizabeth Miller on September 19, 1950. This sweet family of four grew close as they worked and played together.

Their family was active in the First Baptist Church of Panhandle, Texas. LaVerne was active in the WMU, she was a founder of Love in Action, and she was an assistant teacher of the oldest Women’s Class. She helped with the kids’ activities, and was always active with her friends, playing cards and making crafts.

Her home was always a showplace of decorations for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentines, and any other reason to decorate. She loved her flower garden, her yard, and was a lover of animals.

Even though LaVerne was surrounded by numerous illnesses of her own and deaths of her own family members, she clung to her faith in God. Jesus was most important to her.

Others loved LaVerne—she was always a favorite. Her dry humor and funny personality brought joy to everyone. Even in her last days, she always had a smile and teasing words for those closest to her.

LaVerne is preceded in death by her mother and father, Beaula and A.E. Collins, her son, Joe Don Miller, her husband, Joe Wesley Miller, and her brother, Slim Collins. LaVerne is survived by her daughter, Sally, and her daughter-in-law, Judi Wiseman, her “kids of the heart,” Cat, Kathy, Sharon, Dana, Junior, Paula and Randy, her caregivers, Jodi, Mo, Margaret, Regina, Brenda, and Trina, special friends, Gary and Millie, Ann, and Marilyn and Tom, a host of nieces and nephews, and her beloved church family.

As we look back on the life of LaVerne Miller, it is stamped with her faithful service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; with her membership to FBC church, Panhandle, since 1945, and with her dedication and faithfulness to her beloved husband and children. Her last days were spent at Five Point Nursing and Rehabilitation where she made so many friends with her caregivers. Her roommate, Scharlene, became a dear friend as they helped one another through the difficulties of life.

Memorials for LaVerne Miller go to the First Baptist Church of Panhandle, PO Box 189, Panhandle, Texas, 79068. Additional memorials may be given to The Hutcherson Flying Queens Museum. Make checks payable to the Hutcherson Flying Queens Endowment Trust, 15844 Ray Vista Street, Volente, Texas 78641, or go online to flyingqueensfoundation.com.

To this precious lady, we dedicate this verse: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in First Baptist Church of Panhandle. Burial will follow in Panhandle Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.